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Does the iPhone SE Have eSIM?

The iPhone SE 2nd generation (2020) and 3rd generation (2022) support eSIM outside mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macao. The original 2016 iPhone SE does not.

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Before buying a travel eSIM

  1. Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock should say ‘No SIM restrictions’. If it does not, contact your home carrier; eSIM hardware alone does not mean the phone is unlocked.
  2. Compare your model and purchase region with the table below. A second IMEI can belong to a physical SIM and does not prove eSIM support.
  3. Choose plans for your destination and check coverage, validity and what starts the activation clock. Install over Wi-Fi following the instructions for the plan you bought.

Want to try Wanderly first? Read the free eSIM trial requirements, including account eligibility, supported coverage and the no-charge card check, before claiming.

This is the one Apple model where the answer genuinely depends on which version you own, because all three generations are called "iPhone SE". The 2nd generation (2020) and 3rd generation (2022) have eSIM. The 1st generation (2016) has no eSIM chip at all.

Check Settings > General > About for the model number and EID, then confirm Carrier Lock says No SIM restrictions. An EID indicates eSIM hardware; it does not prove that the phone is unlocked.

iPhone SE generations and eSIM support

ModeleSIM support
iPhone SE 3rd gen (2022)eSIM + nano-SIM, or two active eSIMs, 5G
iPhone SE 2nd gen (2020)eSIM + nano-SIM, 4G only
iPhone SE 1st gen (2016)No eSIM — physical nano-SIM only
iPhone SE (mainland China models)No eSIM
iPhone SE 2nd / 3rd gen (Hong Kong, Macao)eSIM supported

Regional caveats and limits

  • The 2016 iPhone SE has no eSIM hardware, and no iOS update can add it.
  • Mainland-China SE models ship without eSIM.
  • The 2022 SE can keep two eSIMs active at once, like the iPhone 13; the 2020 SE runs one eSIM alongside the physical nano-SIM.
  • The phone must be carrier-unlocked — SE handsets are frequently sold on carrier contracts and stay locked.
  • The 2nd generation is 4G only; the 3rd generation adds 5G.

How to set up an eSIM on iPhone SE

  1. Confirm you have an EID in Settings > General > About.
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi and turn off any VPN.
  3. Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan, then scan your QR code.
  4. Label the plan and leave your home line as the default for calls.
  5. On arrival, select the travel plan for Cellular Data and enable Data Roaming on it.

Roaming is set per line, so it has to be enabled on the travel eSIM rather than your home number. See how to turn on data roaming for the exact path on iPhone and Android. Moving to a different handset later? Read how to transfer an eSIM to a new phone first. Travel eSIM transfers depend on the plan; contact support before deleting a profile because its QR code may not be reusable.

Once your iPhone SE is set up, the plan itself is the last step — travellers heading out with one usually start with Nigeria eSIM, Ghana eSIM, Tanzania eSIM, Benin eSIM, Rwanda eSIM or Kenya eSIM. Browse all destinations.

Sources and verification

Compatibility details were last verified on October 6, 2026 against official manufacturer documentation. Regional carrier restrictions can still vary by model number and where the phone was purchased.

Need help identifying the eSIM hardware? Read what an EID number is and where to find it.

Apple: Dual SIM with an eSIMApple: Models with two nano-SIM cardsApple: iPhone SE (3rd generation) specificationsApple: Check your iPhone's carrier lock

Frequently asked questions

Does the iPhone SE have eSIM?

The 2020 (2nd gen) and 2022 (3rd gen) models do outside mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macao. The original 2016 iPhone SE does not.

How do I tell which iPhone SE I have?

Settings > General > About. If an EID row appears, it is a 2020 or 2022 model with eSIM. You can also check the model number against Apple's identification page.

Does the iPhone SE 2022 support eSIM?

Yes outside mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macao. The 3rd-generation SE supports eSIM alongside a physical nano-SIM, or two active eSIMs, and it is 5G capable.

Can the iPhone SE use two eSIMs?

The 2022 (3rd gen) SE can: two eSIMs active at once, or one eSIM plus the nano-SIM. The 2020 (2nd gen) SE runs one eSIM plus the physical nano-SIM.

What replaced the iPhone SE?

Apple discontinued the SE line and replaced it with the iPhone 16e in 2025, which supports eSIM.

Once your iPhone SE is confirmed compatible and unlocked, compare travel plans by destination. On phones with Dual SIM, you can keep your home line enabled; your home carrier may charge for calls, texts or roaming.

Browse plans by destination

Not sure which iPhones support eSIM?

Our full breakdown covers every eSIM-capable iPhone model and how to check yours.

Read: Which iPhones have eSIM?

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